Hinduism in Kashmir

The
religious practices of Hindus of Kashmir
(popularly known as Kashmiri Pandits) revolve
around the worship of Shiva and Shakti. All other
deities (gods and goddesses) of the traditional
Hindu pantheon are worshipped as various
manifestations of Shiva and Shakti. Shiva is the
Supreme Lord of the universe and Shakti, the
Universal Mother Goddess, is his eternal
companion. Bhairavas and Ganas are also his divine
companions and they are also worshipped with him
on important festivals, such as Shivaratri. There
are numerous Shiva shrines in Kashmir, such as
Amareshvara, Vijayeshvara, Sureshvara,
Harsheshvara, Mahaadeva, Bhuteshvara,
Haramukheshvara. The shrines dedicated to Shakti
are Tripurasundari, Trisandhyaa, Jvaalaamukhi,
Shailaputri, Shaarikaa, Shaarada, Rajni, and
Khirbhavaani.

The religious philosophy
of Kashmiri Hindus is rooted in Kashmiri Shaivism,
a school of Shiva philosophy that originated near
Kailasha in Himalayas around 400 AD. The first
teacher of this school was Tryambakaditya, a
disciple of sage Durvasas. Sangamaditya, the
sixteenth descendent in the line of Tryambakaditya,
later settled in Kashmir valley around 800 AD. His
fourth descendent, Somananda, extracted the
principles of monistic Shiva philosophy from the
scriptures and incorporated them in his own work,
Shivadrishti, which is the first philosophical
treatise on Kashmiri Shaivism. Later a galaxy of
illumined sages, such as Vasugupta, Kallata,
Utapaladeva, and Abinavagupta further refined this
philosophy. The philosophy of Kashmiri Shaivism is
generally called Trika Shastra, since it is a
philosophy of the Triad: Shiva, Shakti, and Nara
(the bound individual self). The literature of the
Trika System of Kashmir comprises of three
categories: the Agama Shastra, the Spanda Shastra,
and the Pratyabhijna Shastra.

Kashmiri Shaivism, also
known as Pratyabhijna (meaning
"recognition") school of Shaivism,
adopts a purely monistic metaphysical position. It
considers the Supreme Lord, called Shiva or
Maheshvara, as the Supreme Reality, which is
innermost as well as transcendent. As a conscious
and active principle, the individual self (atman)
is identical with the Supreme Lord. Due to the
influence of maya (ignorance) the individual self
forgets its divine nature, becomes liable to
limitation and bondage, and thinks itself to be
different from the Supreme Lord. Thus one's mukti
(spiritual freedom) lies in one's clear
recognition (Pratyabhijna) of one's identity with
the Supreme Lord. In Kashmiri Shaivism we find a
type of religious thought which synthesizes
pluralism, dualism, and the Buddhist doctrine of
Shunya, and develops a nondualist philosophy which
is sweet, sublime and constructive. This
philosophy is closer to the theism of the Bhagvad
Gita than to the nihilism of Buddha.

Kashmiri Shaivism is free
from restrictions of caste, creed, and gender. Any
devout aspirant can have access to both the theory
and practice of this philosophy. In Kashmiri
Shaivism, practice of religion is considered more
important than theological debates and
discussions. Kashmiri Shaivism does not advocate a
life of renunciation (Sannyasahood) or profession
of monks, but recommends an active householder's
life with daily practice of worship, yoga and
meditation. The use of outward symbols, such as
yellow and orange robes, matted hair, and ashes
are prohibited. Worldly enjoyment as a goal of
worldly life is recognized and respected, but a
spiritual path aimed at harmonizing bhukti
(worldly enjoyment) and mukti (liberation) is
advocated. Kashmiri Shaivism does not advocate
suppression of one's emotions and instincts, but
provides a spiritual path aimed at their
sublimation towards the ultimate goal of spiritual
freedom.

- Bansi Pandit

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Kashmiri Overseas Association, Inc. (KOA) is a 501c(3) non-profit, tax-exempt socio-cultural organization registered in Maryland, USA. Its purpose is to protect, preserve, and promote Kashmiri ethnic and socio-cultural heritage, to promote and celebrate festivals, and to provide financial assistance to the needy and deserving.